Alternatives to oral birth control allow teens additional opportunities to prevent pregnancy
OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City Indian Clinic (OKCIC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit clinic providing health and wellness services to American Indians in central Oklahoma, recently received additional grant funding from Kirkpatrick Family Fund for continued assistance with a teen pregnancy prevention initiative.
Oklahoma’s teen birth rate ranks as one of the highest in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Increasing the use of contraception by teenagers and reducing the risk of unintended pregnancy is a high priority to OKCIC.
It is well known that teen pregnancy can lead to economic and social difficulties, and infant mortality. Women that become pregnant before age 18 are more likely to experience domestic violence in partnerships, drop out of school and be economically disadvantaged as an adult. Children of teenage mothers are more likely to have health issues at birth, due to a lack of medical care for mothers while pregnant, and continued poor health and behavioral health outcomes over the course of their life.
“Being able to offer a variety of long acting contraceptives gives our female patients choices,” Robyn Sunday-Allen said, CEO of OKCIC. “This will help to reduce teen pregnancies and give patients opportunities to plan for a family whenever they are ready.”
The addition of alternative birth control, such as an IUD (intrauterine device), helps to combat some of the common opposition to “the pill,” which can include fear of gaining weight and depression. It is also a good alternative for patients that forget to take oral contraceptives, or do not take them correctly.
About Oklahoma City Indian Clinic
Oklahoma City Indian Clinic was established in 1974 to provide excellent health care and wellness services to American Indians in central Oklahoma. The clinic staff cares for more than 20,000 patients from more than 200 federally recognized tribes every year. American Indians can receive a range of services, including medical, dental, pediatrics, prenatal, pharmacy, optometry, physical fitness, nutrition, family programs and behavioral health services. For more information, please visit www.okcic.com.
About Kirkpatrick Family Fund
The Kirkpatrick Family Fund, founded by John and Eleanor Kirkpatrick in 1989, supports charitable, civic and cultural causes that impact citizens in central Oklahoma and beyond. The Kirkpatrick Family Fund has funded organizations and programs across many areas of need, contributing almost $80 million to more than 650 qualified nonprofit organizations that work tirelessly to address the greatest needs in their communities.